Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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80. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he is taking to improve living conditions for international protection applicants at his Department’s Citywest facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6137/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department has worked consistently to improve living conditions for international protection applicants (IPAs) and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the Citywest transit hub.

The International Protection Accommodation Service has contracted the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide a support and information service to international protection applicants at the Citywest transit hub. IOM is currently recruiting support workers for this new role but has been providing initial supports since January.

At the beginning of February, the bed capacity increased from 370 single beds to 600 beds (250 bunk beds and 100 single beds). The bunk beds are primarily used for single males and females. The remaining single beds are for families and other groupings as required. Each dormitory has been partitioned to allow for two beds and a one meter space between beds in each partitioned section. The outcome is that more people sleep in beds and benefit from enhanced privacy by the introduction of the partitions.

From a health and safety perspective, partitioning reduces the potential for spread of infectious diseases and the spacing allows for quicker evacuation in the event of a fire.

A laundry service is in operation and is open seven days a week. There are 18 washing machines and 18 dryers operated by staff. This is a free drop off and collect same day service available to all IPAs and BOTPs.

There are sixteen standard showers and two adapted showers for people with health conditions or mobility issues. The showers are private and can be locked from the inside while in use. The shower area has a full time security guard and cleaner on duty during opening hours.

The Better Start Play Facility provides a large variety of toys, drawing paper, crayons and a television for children to play in a safe environment. The children are at all times supervised by a parent or guardian who can relax and chat with other parents in the designated parents' seating area. The play area has been relocated to a more secure location within the seating area which is more visible and less congested than the previous area.

The current pause in admitting international protection adults without children to the Citywest transit hub, which results from the ongoing shortage of accommodation for international protection applicants, reflects the importance of avoiding severe overcrowding within the transit hub, in the interests of maintaining adequate living conditions for those staying there temporarily.